Temporary Return Trips to Israel and American Jewry

View/Open

Date

Author

Metadata

Abstract

This paper examines Jewish American return to Israel. In specific it investigates the meaning of temporary return trips to Israel attended by many youth and young adults in the U.S. Through relevant literature by professionals combined with personal experiences on these temporary return trips in 2012 and 2014 the paper explores what temporary return trips to Israel mean. Diaspora theory is used to build a framework in understanding the meanings of homeland and return. Additionally the history of the Jewish diaspora is explored. Looking at key characteristics of contemporary American Jewry, categories of return, and components of temporary return trips, this paper reveals these trips to be a unique situation of Jewish return to Israel focused on intentional, positive consumption of culture.